Versatile shoulder holster strap

ABSTRACT

A versatile shoulder holster strap including a lower strap portion, an upper strap portion, the lower strap portion being adjustably connectible to the belt or other portions of the clothing of the wearer, to secure the bottom of the strap in place, while the upper portion of the strap drapes over the shoulder, and can be adjustably fitted thereto, to provide for a snug fit of the shoulder strap in place during usage. A base member secures to the shoulder strap, and a retention sleeve connects therewith, that provides for insertion gaps in at least two directions for application of the holster and its clip thereto so the holster can be arranged either in a horizontal direction, or a vertical direction, to provide for the convenient withdrawal of a revolver therefrom, for prompt usage.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This non provisional patent application claims priority to the provisional patent application having Ser. No. 61/340,987, having filing date Mar. 25, 2010.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a shoulder strap, for holding a holster, and which may be manipulated to provide for a horizontal disposition of the holster, for holding a hand gun, or it may be located at other angular directions, such as vertically, for holding the hand gun in position against the chest of the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are a variety of holsters for holding hand guns. Most of them have been applied at the level of the waist of the policeman, soldier, gun enthusiast, generally hooking onto the area of the belt of the user. There are a variety of shoulder-type straps that normally hold the holster at a position at the side of the chest, and most of these types of hand gun holsters normally have held a hand gun at one angular position, normally at an incline, and being fixed into that position without furnishing any ability to angulate the holster in any other direction. Each gun user has his favorite disposition for his shoulder-mounted hand gun holster, and providing the facility for allowing the holster to be rearranged, in conjunction with its support by the shoulder strap, is a versatility that is furnished through usage of the subject matter of this invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a holster or gun case that fits in combination with a shoulder strap, where the holster may be arranged at various angular positions, whether it be horizontally, or vertically, to accommodate the desires of the user, and what is most convenient to him/her for quick release of a revolver, when urgently needed.

The structure of this invention includes a usual revolver holster, of the type in which the gun slidingly fits, and incorporates the usual retention strap that holds the revolver in place, once inserted therein. The holster applies onto a base member, operatively associated with the shoulder strap, with the base member including a retention sleeve, that is secured at its four corners to the base member, and therefore, provides clearance slots both laterally and vertically, and into which the holster, and more particularly its clip, may insert, to provide for securement of the holster either in a vertical or a lateral position depending upon the desires of the user. The base member has secured thereto a lower strap that extends downwardly, and is adjustable, for looping about the belt of the wearer. Extending upwardly from the base member are a pair of branch straps, that secure with the base member, and extend up slightly angularly, one to the front, and the other towards the back, and cooperate with a shoulder strap that clips into a position, for draping over the shoulder of the user, and then is clipped to both of the branch straps, when securing the shoulder strap in place. The shoulder strap includes a cushioning member, at its upper end, for comfortably draping over the shoulder, to hold the shoulder strap in place, and the shoulder strap also includes an adjustable clasp that allows for the lengthening, or shortening, of the shoulder strap, in order to provide a convenient fit about the shoulder of the wearer.

It is, therefore, the principal object of this invention to provide an adjustable shoulder strap that can hold a gun holster in various angular positions at the desire of the user.

Another object of this invention is to provide a holster supporting strap that is fully adjustable and can conveniently be made to fit a user of any size.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a holster supporting strap that incorporates a unique base member, having a sleeve that can accept the retention clip of a holster in either a horizontal or a vertical position, depending upon the desires of the user.

These, and other objects, may become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the invention as provided herein, and upon undertaking a study of the description of its preferred embodiment, in view of the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In referring to the drawings,

FIG. 1 shows the shoulder strap of this invention, incorporating the holster retention means, arranged in a vertically supporting position;

FIG. 2 shows the holster of this invention secured to the shoulder strap and arranged in a horizontally supporting position;

FIG. 3 shows the base member and retention sleeve secured with the lower part of the shoulder strap, for this invention;

FIG. 4 shows the retention sleeve, and how a holster may be clipped to said sleeve in either a horizontal or vertical direction, at the desire of the user;

FIG. 5 shows the holster secured in a vertical direction upon the lower portion of the shoulder strap;

FIG. 6 shows the holster clipped in a horizontal direction to the base member of the shoulder strap;

FIG. 7 shows the lower portion of the shoulder strap from the back side, showing how the lower strap is held by hook and pile fastening means and, therefore, is adjustable when looping about the belt of the user;

FIG. 8 shows the same view as FIG. 7, but showing the holster being secured to the front side of the base member in a vertical direction;

FIG. 9 shows the lower portion of the shoulder strap with the holster being secured in a horizontal direction to its base member;

FIG. 10 shows a side view of the lower portion of the shoulder strap when secured, and showing the retention sleeve displaying a slight gap and into which the clip of the holster may insert, with the holster shown displaced to the left side thereof;

FIG. 11 shows the lower portion of the shoulder strap with the holster clipped into position upon the retention sleeve;

FIG. 12 shows a top view of the lower portion of the shoulder strap, with the pair of clips extending therefrom, and the holster shown just before it is clipped into position upon the retention sleeve; and

FIG. 13 shows the holster being secured to the retention sleeve of the lower portion of the shoulder strap, from a top view thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In referring to the drawings, and in particular FIG. 1, therein is shown the versatile shoulder holster strap 1 of this invention applied to the shoulder of its user, whether it be a policeman, policewoman, anyone of authority, or even a gun enthusiast, as noted at P. Generally, the holster strap includes a lower strap section 2 as secures around the belt B of the user, while the upper shoulder strap 3 has a pad portion 4 that adds to the convenience and comfort of its user. The upper part of the lower strap portion includes a pair of clips, one as shown at 5, while the other is concealed under the arm of the user. These clips connect with the upper shoulder strap 3, when it is located into position about the wearer, and then adjusted, through the adjustment clamp 6 to provide for reasonable tightness of the entire strap assembly, about the shoulder of the wearer, and its retention in proximity with his/her waist.

Also noted upon this shoulder strap is a holster 7, which has an open end along the seam, as at 8, and into which the revolver may locate, and held into position by means of the fastening strap 9 for holding the gun in place. A hook and pile fastening means, as at 10, cooperates with similar means, as at 11, on its underside thereof, for securing the strap tightly about the gun, when it is located in place. Thus, as can be noted, the entire shoulder strap is firmly held into position about the user, and in this particular instance, the holster 7 is arranged in a vertical position upon its shoulder strap, as will be subsequently described.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the holster 7, in this instance, connects horizontally to the strap base member 12, whereas, as previously explained, the holster was secured in a vertical direction. In this manner, the user can simply pull the gun strap 9 free, to allow access to the back end of the revolver, and slide it laterally out of the holster 7, as it is needed for quick usage.

The lower strap portion 2 of the holder is more amply disclosed in FIG. 3, and therein shows a base member 13 having a retention sleeve-like member 14 secured generally centrally thereof, with the securement being made at the four corner portions 15 of the shown sleeve. Thus, as can be understood, and as can be noted in FIG. 4, the clip of the holster can be slid in two directions into the gaps provided between the retention sleeve, and the base member 13, so that the holster may either be oriented horizontally, as noted at 16, and have its clip locate along the width of the said sleeve, or the holster clip may be directed downwardly, as noted at 17, and have its holster arranged generally vertically, upon the base member 13, in its orientation. Thus, the base member can support the holster in at least two directions, and accommodate the desires of the user, who may like to quickly pull a revolver from the side, or laterally, as noted at 16, or hold the revolver upwardly and pull the revolver upwardly, out of the holster, after it has been inserted along the direction 17, as can be noted.

As can also be seen in FIG. 3, the lower strap portion 2 folds upon itself, and is doubled back upwardly, as noted at 18, to provide a secure adjustment in the connection of the strap in place, when used. And, extending upwardly from the base member 13 are a pair of inclined short straps, as at 19 and 20, and which have clip portions 21 and 22, which secure into the fastener 5, as previously explained, when the shoulder holster strap is applied into position for usage.

FIG. 5 shows the lower strap portion 2, with the holster 7 secured vertically upon its base member 13 during usage. Obviously, it can be arranged in two directions, either for left-handed usage, or right-handed usage, depending upon the shoulder to which the shoulder strap is applied in preparation for usage.

FIG. 6 shows how the holster 7 is secured to the base member 13 by inserting within the sleeve member 14, in a manner as previously described.

This provides for a lateral locating of the holster that allows the user to immediately pull the revolver more horizontally out of its holster, during usage. Obviously, the retention strap 9 will have been quickly opened to allow access to the back end of the revolver, to allow it to be pulled free for prompt usage and application.

FIG. 7 shows the back side of the base member 13, and how the lower strap 2 reverses upon itself, as at 18, and extends upwardly, for allowing its hook and pile fastening means 23 and 24 to secure together, after the strap has been conveniently adjusted about the belt B of the wearer.

FIG. 8 shows a similar view as that disclosed in FIG. 7, and shows how the holster 7 is secured vertically upon the opposite side of the base member 13, during its usage.

FIG. 9 shows how the holster is secured to the other side of the base member 13, and provided in a horizontal direction. It can be seen how the revolver strap 9 may be furnished with a snap clasp 25 to allow for its quick opening, for prompt access to the revolver, when it is required to be withdrawn from its holster. Or, in lieu of a snap clasp, any type of Velcro or other fastener may used thereat, and which furnishes a means for quick opening of the strap, to attain access to the held revolver.

FIG. 10 shows the lower portion of the shoulder strap 2, which in its structure, has already been explained, but as can be particularly noted, the sleeve member 14 is slightly displaced from the base member 13 and furnishes a gap 26 therein, and which can accommodate the clip 27 of the holster 7, for sliding within the sleeve member 14, and for securement of the holster to the shoulder strap, during usage. The clip 27 may slide vertically downwardly into the gap between the sleeve member 14 and the base member 13, as along the direction of the arrow 17, as noted in FIG. 4, or the holster may be pivoted 90 degrees, and slid laterally through the gap 26, in the direction of the arrow 16, of FIG. 4, for holding the holster in a more horizontal position during usage. When the holster is slid downwardly, for vertical connection within the sleeve member 14, as can be noted FIG. 10, its clip will tightly secure the holster in place, and because of its contoured end, as at 28, it will retain the holster to its base member, even though the revolver may be forcefully withdrawn from the holster, in preparation for prompt usage.

FIG. 11 shows how the holster 7, through its clip 27, may slide under the retention sleeve 14 and into the gap 26 formed with the base member 13, for retention of the holster 7 in place, when applied vertically upon the shoulder strap. Since this is a side plan view, the holster is arranged in a vertical direction for insertion of its clip 27 downwardly within the sleeve member, in the direction of the location 17, as previously explained.

FIG. 12 shows how the holster 7 has been located through its clip 27 underneath of the sleeve member 14, for retention of the holster in a lateral position. As can be further noted, the fasteners 21 and 22, or at least the lower half of the said fasteners, are extending upwardly, in this top view, and will interconnect with the upper part of the fasteners 5, for securement of the upper shoulder strap portion of the holster strap in place, during its usage.

Variations or modifications of the subject matter of this invention may occur to those skilled in the art upon review of the invention as described herein. Such variations, if within the spirit and scope of this invention, are intended to be encompassed within any claims to patent protection issuing upon this development. This development shows a versatile shoulder holster strap that is completely adjustable to provide a tight fit about the wearer, and conveniently allows its holster to be arranged in that position which is most favorable to the user for quickly withdrawing a revolver therefrom, during usage. 

1. A versatile shoulder holster strap, including a shoulder strap, said shoulder strap including an upper strap portion that drapes about the shoulder of the wearer, while a lower strap portion connects with the upper strap portion, and adjustably connects with the belt or other fastener, for securement of the lower end of the strap to the wearer; a base member secures with the shoulder holster strap, a retention sleeve connects at least at two positions to the base member, and therein provides a plurality of gaps and into which a holster and its clip may insert for location of the holster in at least two oriented positions upon the shoulder strap in preparation for holding a revolver, and facilitating its prompt usage.
 2. The versatile shoulder holster strap of claim 1 wherein a holster may connect with said retention sleeve to hold said holster and any revolver in a horizontal direction.
 3. The versatile shoulder holster of claim 1 wherein said holster may connect with the retention sleeve of the base member to hold said holster and any revolver in a vertical position.
 4. The versatile shoulder holster strap of claim 1 wherein said retention sleeve is formed having at least four corners, and the four corners of the retention sleeve are connected with the base member, to provide the plurality of gaps between the retention sleeve and said base member to allow the holster to connect to said holster strap in either an approximate horizontal or approximate vertical location upon its wearer.
 5. The versatile shoulder holster strap of claim 1 wherein the upper strap portion includes a pair of inclined short straps, each of said short straps connects with the base member of said holster strap, each of said short straps at their upper end includes a fastener, and said fastener capable of securement with said upper strap portion that drapes about the shoulder of the wearer.
 6. The versatile shoulder holster strap of claim 5 wherein said fasteners comprise releasable clips.
 7. The versatile shoulder holster strap of claim 6 wherein said upper strap portion includes an adjustable clamp to provide for adjustment in its draping over the shoulder of the wearer to furnish a reasonably tight fit when installed.
 8. The versatile shoulder holster strap of claim 1 wherein said lower strap portion secures with the base member through a hook and pile fastener, and said hook and pile fastener capable of adjustment to provide for a snug fit of the lower strap portion about the belt of its wearer. 